3936 Quadrupeds, 



Notes on the Habits of some Species of Bats. 

 By Jonathan Couch, Esq., F.L.S., &c. 



There are no British animals of the distinctive habits of which so 

 little is known as the bats. It is not even a settled question whether 

 any of them migrate from us in the winter ; whether they change their 

 quarters according to the seasons ; or to what extent they are influ- 

 enced by the variations of the atmosphere. 



From these considerations, at the season of the year when these 

 creatures appeared to be beginning to feel the influence of the short- 

 ening days and an alteration of temperature, I began to keep a journal 

 of their appearances ; and in doing this, I beg to remark, that when I 

 have noted the absence of bats, it does not simply mean that they have 

 not fallen in my way ; but that they were carefully sought for in situ- 

 ations where, if they were to appear at all, they were most likely to 

 be found. 



1852. 



September 4. Bats not seen : evening calm, but overcast. 



September 5. No bats : evening clear and fine. This evening is 

 so far favourable for them, and so quiet, being Sunday, that I can only 

 suppose they have taken new hunting-ground, which probably they 

 often do. 



September 6. At T (2|- miles from the coast), an ancient castel- 

 lated mansion, where, from former knowledge, all the bats appear to 

 be of the horse-shoe species. They are on flight in good daylight, 

 and fly more rapidly than bats appear to do elsewhere. I find them 

 flying about half a mile from what must be their resting-place. I saw 

 only one near my home (near the coast), although the place is more 

 sheltered from the wind. Wind N.W., and a little chilly; 



September 7. Only one bat seen, for a moment, in the Warren 

 near the sea. Wind N., showery and chilly. 



September 8. One bat, only seen for a moment at a distance ; none 

 where they are usually abundant. Wind N.E., mild and showery. 



September 9. No bats : fine evening ; wind N.E., mild and over- 

 cast. 



September 11. One bat hovering for a short time: evening fine, 

 calm ; wind N. 



September 12. No bats : calm and overcast. 



September 13. Bats flying at T , and a couple flying in the hall, 



which they not unfrequently enter in autumn. A fortnight since, a 



